Royal Hospital Kilmainham

19/06/2026

Due to operational reasons, on Monday the 22nd June the 11am and 1pm outdoor guided walking tours will NOT be taking place. The 3pm will be running as scheduled.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

OPW - Office of Public Works Heritage Ireland

12/06/2026

Dotted throughout the grounds of the Royal Hospital are sculptures telling aspects of the use and history of this green space.

None more fitting than Sculpture herself. Hidden in the wild maze at the back of our Formal Gardens, this sculpture is a copy. The original lead sculpture attributed to either Van Nost or Charpentier is today located in the gardens of Stowe.

Beautifully positioned, the reason Sculpture came to live in our gardens was due to the fact that ornamental statues were an important part of the 17th century formal garden. By including statues, the spirit of the gardens before our lovingly restored one comes to life. It gives a glimpse of the features that once guests and residents here would have so enjoyed in the rain and the sun.

Today, she can be visited for free for those willingly to lose time in the mazes of the Formal Gardens.

OPW - Office of Public Works Heritage Ireland

04/06/2026

On the back of our successful endeavours, different shades of colour has been popping up scattered throughout the site. Flowers have been spotted dotted around the grounds, gardens and cemeteries. Native Irish flora have been given some room and new ideas around maintaining our terraces have been trialled.

For hungry native pollinators, these pops of colour have been home. Trees, bushes and flowers have offered them food and respite in this little green oasis in Dublin 8.

26/05/2026

Inside the walls of the Royal Hospital, elevated just about a main road lies the final resting place for many of the working and middle class of Dublin for centuries... Bully's Acre. It is flanked on either side by military cemeteries paying homage to the hundreds of years the Royal Hospital was home to veterans, staff and officers alike.

To explore this history, the stories and the people behind them, throughout June we will be running tours of the cemeteries on site here. Join us over multiple weekends, to hear and learn about what happened behind these walls. From clashes between burial rites and grave-robbing to victims of disasters, hear how the Royal Hospital interacted with death, mourning and the local community.

Tickets are FREE but need to be booked via Eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bullys-acre-cemetery-tour-tickets-1986129557973?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

For more information email [email protected].

OPW - Office of Public Works Heritage Ireland

22/05/2026

Biodiversity Week is well under way, with the sun shining and flowers blooming.

Don't forget to pop into us for it on Sunday, the 24th May at 12pm, for a fascinating specialised biodiversity tour of the Gardens and Grounds of the Royal Hospital. Join us to learn about the different trees, shrubs and flowers growing in this unique green oasis. Hear about the various policies we follow here in the Royal Hospital to promote biodiversity and Irish flora. Learn about how all these practices also help to support Irish wildlife.

This is a FREE event which you do not need to pre-book for. Simply be at the OPW stand in the central courtyard of the Royal Hospital, beside the entrance of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, 12pm on the 24th May.

OPW - Office of Public Works Heritage Ireland

12/05/2026

As the weather changes, and the days get longer, throughout the grounds pockets of colour burst forth adding a kaleidoscope effect to our grounds.

As part of the May initiative, many parts of the grounds and cemeteries are allowed to grow a little wilder than normal. This initiative is designed to help native wildlife. By allowing flowers to blossom and grow, our native pollinators find food and shelter. It protects and promotes native Irish flora.

Some parts of the site such as our Formal Garden will be maintained throughout May but by allowing the cemeteries, meadows and avenue to bloom and seed naturally, we play our part in promoting biodiversity and preserving our green spaces.

OPW - Office of Public Works Heritage Ireland

07/05/2026

04/05/2026

Biodiversity Week is just around the corner. We are delighted to be once again taking part this year.

On the 17th and 24th May at 12pm, join us for a fascinating specialised biodiversity tour of the Gardens and Grounds of the Royal Hospital. Join us to learn about the different trees, shrubs and flowers growing in this unique green oasis. Hear about the various policies we follow here in the Royal Hospital to promote biodiversity and Irish flora. Learn about how all these practices also help to support Irish wildlife.

This is a FREE event which you did not need to pre-book for. Simply be at the OPW stand in the central courtyard of the Royal Hospital, beside the entrance of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, 12pm on the 17th and/or the 24th May.

OPW - Office of Public Works Heritage Ireland

03/05/2026

28/04/2026

With May just around the corner, promising bluer skies, warmer temperatures and hopefully less rain. With better weather, brings more activities and more aspects of our fascinating unique history can be explored.

First weekend of May will see us running two specialised tours on top of our daily walking tours.

2nd and 3rd May at 2pm, we are running our cemeteries tours. Join us to hear all about how the Royal Hospital dealt with death, mourning, infamous characters and how it shaped our relationship with the local communities.

On the back of its success and in honour of the anniversary of the executions, we are delighted to be running a Royal Hospital and Easter Rising tour. On the 3rd May at 12:30pm, join us to learn about the role the Royal Hospital played in the Easter Rising as a headquarters, observer, and accommodation for soldiers. Hear of the characters here and the roles they would play.

Tickets can be booked through Eventbrite:
For Bully's Acre: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bullys-acre-cemetery-tour-tickets-1986129557973?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
For Easter Rising Tour: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-royal-hospital-and-easter-rising-tour-tickets-1988385148505?aff=oddtdtcreator

For more information email [email protected]
Heritage Ireland OPW - Office of Public Works